2026 Forecast: Decorating Is Making a Comeback And It’s Redefining the Design Industry
For the past several years, the design world has been riding the renovation wave.
COVID-era lockdowns sparked a surge in remodels, additions, and major renovations. And with social media leading the way, many of those spaces ended up looking… well, remarkably similar.
Same palettes. Same sofas. Same styling.
Beautiful? Yes. Personalized? Not quite.
But the tide is turning.
As we approach 2026, decorating is making a major comeback and it’s reshaping how clients invest, how designers design, and how businesses position themselves for sustainable growth.
Why Decorating Is Returning in a Big Way
1. Clients Are Value-Focused and Value-Seeking
The economic landscape is shifting again. Rising material costs, import fees, and tariff changes are influencing how clients allocate their budgets.
Homeowners are looking first at value, not extravagance.
This means:
Budget-friendly sourcing
Thoughtful upgrades over full gut renovations
High-impact, low-cost styling
Choosing where it matters — and where it doesn’t
Designers who understand how to stretch a dollar without sacrificing aesthetic integrity will thrive.
2. Personalization Is the New Status Symbol
Cookie-cutter feeds no longer inspire.
People are craving meaning, emotion, and identity in their homes. They want spaces that feel lived-in, loved, and uniquely theirs.
Clients are prioritizing:
Customization
Craftsmanship
Sentimental pieces
One-of-a-kind décor
Rooms that tell a story
The days of mass-produced everything are fading. Today’s homeowner wants their home to reflect who they are, not just what’s trending.
3. The Return of In-Store Shopping
After years of online everything, clients are returning to tactile decision-making.
They want to see, feel, and sit before they buy.
This shift influences how designers guide sourcing decisions and opens the door for more curated, personal, human-centered decorating services.
4. Moodboards, Décor, and Refresh Projects Will Surge
Small-but-mighty transformations will dominate in 2026.
Expect demand to increase for:
Moodboards
Seasonal styling
Room refreshes
Accessory sourcing
Paint and palette consulting
Quick-turn decorating packages
This is where designers can shine; showing creativity, expertise, and personality without requiring a six-figure renovation.
Proof? Look at the Designers Already Doing This Well
One of my Bring Calm to Chaos alumni , a designer I still support today has built her entire business around curated decorating, budget-conscious design choices, and personalized client experiences.
She now has:
✨ A full roster
✨ A thriving business built on value
✨ A waitlist of clients eager to work with her
This isn’t a coincidence.
It’s a preview of where the industry is headed.
What This Means for Designers in 2026
If you’re a designer feeling the pressure of rising costs, shifting client expectations, or wondering how to differentiate yourself in a saturated online world…
Decorating might just be the opportunity you’ve been overlooking.
Your creativity, your ability to curate, your knack for telling a story through a space, these skills are becoming more valuable than ever.
Clients are craving your eye, your perspective, and your personalized expertise.
A Final Thought and an Invitation
As the industry evolves, designers who adapt their workflows, packages, and client experience will experience the most stability and the most growth.
That’s exactly what I help solo designers do inside my Bring Calm to Chaos program: build a business with clear systems, confident offers, and a model calendar that supports both your life and your work.
If 2026 is the year you want a more intentional, sustainable, ease-filled design business, this might be your moment.
